{{translation|'''Iruka Umino'''|うみのイルカ|Umino Iruka}} is a [[chūnin]]-level shinobi of [[Konohagakure]] who serves primarily as an instructor at the [[Academy]].

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{{translation|'''Iruka Umino'''|うみのイルカ|Umino Iruka}} is a [[chūnin]] of [[Konohagakure]] who serves primarily as an instructor at the [[Academy]].

== Background ==

== Background ==

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[[File:Iruka'sMother.png|thumb|left|Iruka with his mother during the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha.]]

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[[File:KohariUmino.png|thumb|left|Iruka with his mother during the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha.]]

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Iruka's parents were killed in the [[Nine-Tails' Attack on Konoha]] twelve years before the beginning of the series. Initially, a young Iruka was present on the battlefield, and wanted to stay in order to protect his mother. His father declared that it was the parents' duty to keep their child safe from harm. He was forcibly removed from the battlefield by an unknown shinobi.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 503, pages 6-8</ref>

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Iruka's parents were killed in the [[Nine-Tails' Attack on Konoha]] twelve years before the beginning of the series. Initially, a young Iruka was present on the battlefield, and wanted to stay in order to protect his mother. His father declared that it was the parents' duty to keep their child safe from harm. He was forcibly removed from the battlefield by an unknown shinobi while he called out for his parent to no avail.<ref>Chapter 503, pages 6-8</ref>

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With his family gone, Iruka had no one to give him attention. Iruka thereafter became a prankster much like Naruto would later become, trying to gain attention to stave off his loneliness.<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 1, page 35</ref> He would spend his time at the monument where his parents' names were engraved, and, in his darkest moments would be cheered up by the [[Third Hokage]].<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 139, pages 8-10</ref> [[Mizuki]] was a childhood friend of Iruka's after the Nine-Tails Attack, and usually made him feel better. In the anime, it was noted that due to other people giving Iruka more attention than they do to Mizuki, Mizuki's kindness to Iruka revealed to be an act just to gain the Hokage's approval, all the while making Iruka miserable discreetly.

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With his family gone, Iruka had no one to give him attention. Iruka thereafter became a prankster, trying to gain attention to stave off his loneliness.<ref>Chapter 1, page 35</ref> He would spend his time at the monument where his parents' names were engraved, and, in his darkest moments would be cheered up by the [[Third Hokage]].<ref>Chapter 139, pages 8-10</ref> [[Mizuki]] was a childhood friend of Iruka's after the Nine-Tails Attack, and usually made him feel better. In the anime, it was noted that due to other people giving Iruka more attention than they do to Mizuki, Mizuki's kindness to Iruka revealed to be an act just to gain the Hokage's approval, all the while making Iruka miserable discreetly.

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[[File:Iruka's Ordeal.jpg|thumb|Iruka deciding to become an instructor of the Academy.]]

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{{ImgRight|Iruka's Ordeal.png|Iruka deciding to become an instructor of the Academy.}}

In the anime, it was revealed that Iruka became a teacher because he wanted to pass on the [[Will of Fire]] to the next generation in this manner, inspired by the [[Third Hokage]]'s wisdom. When Naruto became his student, he found it awkward to deal with the person containing the very monster responsible for his parents' death. He tried to ask the Third Hokage if he could not teach Naruto, though he was eventually disabused by the notion by [[Kakashi Hatake]]. Later, Naruto went into the woods to steal items from corpses. Iruka chased him down and protected him from [[Takigakure]] spies who were attacking Naruto, eventually backed up by Kakashi. After saving Naruto and bringing back the document attached to the artefact the latter retrieved, he thanked the Third for assigning Naruto to him. He thus resolved to be straight forward and deal with Naruto strictly in class from then on, in order to train him to become a fine shinobi.<ref>''Naruto Shippūden'' episode 177</ref>

In the anime, it was revealed that Iruka became a teacher because he wanted to pass on the [[Will of Fire]] to the next generation in this manner, inspired by the [[Third Hokage]]'s wisdom. When Naruto became his student, he found it awkward to deal with the person containing the very monster responsible for his parents' death. He tried to ask the Third Hokage if he could not teach Naruto, though he was eventually disabused by the notion by [[Kakashi Hatake]]. Later, Naruto went into the woods to steal items from corpses. Iruka chased him down and protected him from [[Takigakure]] spies who were attacking Naruto, eventually backed up by Kakashi. After saving Naruto and bringing back the document attached to the artefact the latter retrieved, he thanked the Third for assigning Naruto to him. He thus resolved to be straight forward and deal with Naruto strictly in class from then on, in order to train him to become a fine shinobi.<ref>''Naruto Shippūden'' episode 177</ref>

== Personality ==

== Personality ==

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Iruka is described as being both big-hearted, and soft-hearted. This is seen most often seen through his teaching methods often giving a watchful eye over his students as they progress. This however, does not mean that he is a pushover, as he can be stern when the situation calls for it most often seen when he shouts at his students in order to get them to obey him. Despite the tragedy of losing his parents at a young age, Iruka remained a determined and strong-willed individual with a kind disposition. This is seen from his lack of hostility towards Naruto Uzumaki who was often the victim of misplaced anger at the [[Nine-Tailed Demon Fox]] who was sealed within Naruto.

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Iruka is described as being both big-hearted, and soft-hearted. This is most often seen through his teaching methods, often giving a watchful eye over his students as they progress. This however, does not mean that he is a pushover, as he can be stern when the situation calls for it most often seen when he shouts at his students in order to get them to obey him. Despite the tragedy of losing his parents at a young age, Iruka remained a determined and strong-willed individual with a kind disposition. This is seen from his lack of hostility towards Naruto Uzumaki who was often the victim of misplaced anger at the [[Nine-Tailed Demon Fox]] who was sealed within Naruto. Because of this, Iruka came to be the only person Naruto respected in his youth as well as the only person who could control Naruto's behaviour to some degree. Naruto ignored all chūnin and jōnin who reprimanded him for painting all over the Hokage's faces and only showed fear when Iruka showed up.<ref>Chapter 1</ref>

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As a child growing up without his parents, Iruka turned to performing antics in the Academy in order to gain recognition from others who would otherwise pass him over or look at him with pity for being an orphan. This allowed him to also see some of these signs and understand what they meant when displayed by Naruto. Due to Iruka's more nurturing and compassionate nature, Naruto views him as a mentor and Iruka in turn, views Naruto as a younger brother. The two enjoy their favourite ramen dish at [[Ramen Ichiraku]] whenever Naruto returns from a mission, where Iruka gets an opportunity to see how Naruto is developing as a ninja. Iruka's refusal to allow Naruto to graduate at first was not out of spite, but merely out of caring strictness and a desire for Naruto to work harder and reach his own potential.

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As a child growing up without his parents, Iruka turned to performing antics in the Academy in order to gain recognition from others who would otherwise pass him over or look at him with pity for being an orphan. This allowed him to also see some of these signs and understand what they meant when displayed by Naruto. Due to Iruka's more nurturing, protective and compassionate nature, Naruto views him as a mentor and Iruka in turn, views Naruto as a younger brother. The two enjoy their favourite ramen dish at [[Ramen Ichiraku]] whenever Naruto returns from a mission, where Iruka gets an opportunity to see how Naruto is developing as a ninja. Iruka's refusal to allow Naruto to graduate at first was not out of spite, but merely out of caring strictness and a desire for Naruto to work harder and reach his own potential.

He also has a great sense of duty, honour and selflessness as seen when he protected Naruto from [[Mizuki]]'s attack, suffering a shuriken wound in his back in order to protect him. He greatly admires both the Third Hokage who was there to help him during his troubled period as a child and believes strongly in the [[Will of Fire]] of the village. As a result, he regards the children of the village as the backbone of Konoha — even being willing to sacrifice his own life to ensure their safety.

He also has a great sense of duty, honour and selflessness as seen when he protected Naruto from [[Mizuki]]'s attack, suffering a shuriken wound in his back in order to protect him. He greatly admires both the Third Hokage who was there to help him during his troubled period as a child and believes strongly in the [[Will of Fire]] of the village. As a result, he regards the children of the village as the backbone of Konoha — even being willing to sacrifice his own life to ensure their safety.

== Appearance ==

== Appearance ==

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[[File:Iruka as young.JPG|thumb|Iruka as achild.]]

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[[File:Iruka_-_The_Last.png|thumb|right|150px|Iruka as he appears in ''The Last: NarutotheMovie''.]]

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[[File:Iruka young.png|thumb|left|Iruka as a child.]]

Iruka is a man of average height and build. He has black hair (brown in the anime) that he keeps in a ponytail, dark eyes and a scar that runs across the bridge of his nose — which he has had since his youth. He wears the standard Konoha shinobi outfit complete with [[forehead protector]], sandals, and [[flak jacket]]. His sleeves are also rolled up about ¼ way. As a child he wore a simple outfit along with mesh-armour underneath it.

Iruka is a man of average height and build. He has black hair (brown in the anime) that he keeps in a ponytail, dark eyes and a scar that runs across the bridge of his nose — which he has had since his youth. He wears the standard Konoha shinobi outfit complete with [[forehead protector]], sandals, and [[flak jacket]]. His sleeves are also rolled up about ¼ way. As a child he wore a simple outfit along with mesh-armour underneath it.

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In ''[[The Last: Naruto the Movie]]'', two years after the Fourth Shinobi World War, Iruka's overall appearance stayed the same. The only noticeable difference is he wears a an [[Uzumaki clan]] logo armband on his left arm with the new standard flak jacket and high-top sandals. Several years afterwards, Iruka has aged further, with slight creases around his mouth. He also abandons his forehead protector and shinobi attire, and instead dons a grey zipped shirt.<ref>Chapter 700</ref>

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== Abilities ==

== Abilities ==

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As a head instructor of the Academy, he is clearly proficient in all forms of basic ninja skills. He has some ability with [[BarrierNinjutsu]], as he is seen creating a [[Barrier: Confining Technique|barrier]]inanattempt to restrain Naruto. Iruka is also very perceptive as he is able to assess situations carefully and quickly while under threat.

As a head instructor of the Academy, Iruka is clearly proficient in all forms of basic ninja skills. He has some ability with [[Barrier Ninjutsu]], as he is seen creating a [[String Light Formation|barrier]] in an attempt to restrain Naruto. Iruka is also very perceptive as he can assess situations carefully and quickly while under threat. In terms of [[nature transformation]]s, he's capable of using [[Fire Release]] and [[Water Release]]. He is also capable of utilising [[Yin Release]].<ref name="d4" />

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In the anime, Iruka's skills were expanded upon and it was shown that he had some knowledge of [[genjutsu]], as demonstrated when he posed as an enemy [[Amegakure]] ninja to test Sakura,<ref>''Naruto'' episode 21</ref> and he also saw through the genjutsu cast by Mizuki.<ref name="e145">''Naruto'' episode 145</ref> During the [[Mizuki Strikes Back Arc]], Iruka showed some skill in [[taijutsu]] as well, by keeping on equal footing with the now-improved Mizuki in his attacks. Iruka was also shown using [[Sealed Bomb Square Release]], which consists of setting an array of exploding tags and, once the target has entered the area, setting the tags to detonate if the target moves.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 147</ref>

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Also, in the anime, Iruka displayed what seems to be an [[Wikipedia:Echolocation|echolocation]] ability where he can get a sonar image of his surrounding area, perhaps playing on the meaning of his name, "dolphin".<ref name="e145"/>

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In the anime, Iruka's skills were expanded upon; it was shown that he had some knowledge of [[genjutsu]], as demonstrated when [[Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique|he posed as an enemy]] [[Amegakure]] ninja to test Sakura,<ref>''Naruto'' episode 21</ref> and he also saw through the genjutsu cast by Mizuki.<ref name="e145">''Naruto'' episode 145</ref> During the [[Mizuki Tracking Mission]], Iruka showed some skill in [[taijutsu]] as well, by keeping on equal footing with the now-improved Mizuki in his attacks. Iruka was also shown using [[Sealed Bomb Square Release]], which consists of setting an array of exploding tags and, once the target has entered the area, setting the tags to detonate if the target moves.<ref>''Naruto'' episode 147</ref> Also, Iruka displayed what seems to be an [[Wikipedia:Echo sounding|echolocation]] ability where he can get a sonar image of his surrounding area, perhaps playing on the meaning of his name, "dolphin".<ref name="e145"/>

=== Stats ===

=== Stats ===

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== Part I ==

== Part I ==

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=== IntroductionArc ===

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=== Prologue— Land of Waves ===

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[[File:irukaprotectsnaruto.png|thumb|left|Iruka protects Naruto.]]

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When Naruto managed to evade other ninja after desecrating the [[HokageMonument]]with graffiti, Iruka captured his student and berated him for not focusing on the upcoming graduating exams. While Naruto was supposed to [[Transformation Technique|transform into Iruka]], he instead [[Sexy Technique|turned into a naked girl]], with Iruka suffering a massive nosebleed before giving Naruto a reprimanding. Iruka then punished Naruto to clean the Hokage Monument, but then invited him to [[Ramen Ichiraku]], where he learned of Naruto's desire to be [[Hokage]].

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When Naruto managed to evade other ninja after desecrating the [[Hokage Monument]] with graffiti, Iruka captures his student and berates him for not focusing on the upcoming graduating exams. While Naruto was supposed to [[Transformation Technique|transform into Iruka]], he instead [[Sexy Technique|turned into a naked girl]], with Iruka suffering a massive nosebleed before giving Naruto a reprimanding. Iruka then punished Naruto to clean the Hokage Monument, but then invited him to [[Ramen Ichiraku]], where he learned of Naruto's desire to be [[Hokage]].

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Next day, when Naruto failed to conjure three [[CloneTechnique|clones]],Iruka failed him despite Mizuki's false sympathetic reconsideration, when Mizuki tricked Naruto into stealing the [[Scroll of Seals]], Iruka tracked down Naruto before realising too late that the boy was set up.Iruka protected Naruto from Mizuki's attacks before Naruto runs off upon learning he is the Nine-Tails jinchūriki. Intent to protect Naruto regardless of him learning the truth, Iruka insisted that he never hated Naruto and sees him as only a ninja of their village. Witnessing Naruto create [[Multiple Shadow Clone Technique|a high amount of]] [[Shadow Clone Technique|advanced clones]] after being spurred by his faith in him, Iruka allowed Naruto to graduate from the Academy.

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[[File:irukaprotectsnaruto.png|thumb|Iruka protects Naruto.]]

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Next day, when Naruto failed to conjure at least one [[Clone Technique|clone]], Iruka failed him, despite Mizuki's false sympathetic reconsideration. When Mizuki tricked Naruto into stealing the [[Scroll of Seals]], Iruka tracked down Naruto before being hit by a barrage of kunai and realising that the boy was set up. Iruka then protected Naruto from Mizuki's [[fūma shuriken]] after Naruto learned that he is the Nine-Tails jinchūriki. Nevertheless, Naruto then ran away despite Iruka's pleas. Intent to protect Naruto regardless of him learning the truth, Iruka insisted that he never hated Naruto and saw him as only a ninja of their village. Witnessing Naruto create [[Multiple Shadow Clone Technique|a high amount of]] [[Shadow Clone Technique|advanced clones]] after being spurred by his faith in him, Iruka allowed Naruto to graduate from the Academy, giving him his own forehead protector.

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=== Chūnin Exam Arc ===

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=== Chūnin Exams ===

When [[Team 7]] is entered in the [[Chūnin Exams]], Iruka voiced concern and as such, in the anime, he personally tested each member individually to see if they were ready by disguising himself as a [[Amegakure]] ninja. Once they passed the exam's second phase, he acted as a messenger that granted them access to the preliminaries.

When [[Team 7]] is entered in the [[Chūnin Exams]], Iruka voiced concern and as such, in the anime, he personally tested each member individually to see if they were ready by disguising himself as a [[Amegakure]] ninja. Once they passed the exam's second phase, he acted as a messenger that granted them access to the preliminaries.

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=== Invasion of Konoha Arc ===

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=== Konoha Crush ===

During the invasion of Konoha, Iruka escorted his students to safety in the shelters behind the Hokage Monument- promising that he and the other instructors would protect them "even at the cost of our lives". He shared ominous looks with [[Konohamaru]] when Hiruzen's representation cracked, later comforting Konohamaru during the Third Hokage's funeral.

During the invasion of Konoha, Iruka escorted his students to safety in the shelters behind the Hokage Monument- promising that he and the other instructors would protect them "even at the cost of our lives". He shared ominous looks with [[Konohamaru]] when Hiruzen's representation cracked, later comforting Konohamaru during the Third Hokage's funeral.

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=== Search for Tsunade Arc ===

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=== Search for Tsunade ===

Iruka met [[Naruto]] at their favourite [[Ramen Ichiraku]] to listen to Naruto talk about his adventure and later explained to Naruto that they have to do many missions to show other villages that they were still strong, even though their strength had been cut in half.

Iruka met [[Naruto]] at their favourite [[Ramen Ichiraku]] to listen to Naruto talk about his adventure and later explained to Naruto that they have to do many missions to show other villages that they were still strong, even though their strength had been cut in half.

In the aftermath of the invasion, Iruka was forced to suspend his teaching duties in order to go on missions and fill the void in personnel. In the anime, he was assisted by [[Pakkun]] to find Mizuki and go after Naruto and [[Tonton]]. When Iruka caught up, they send Tonton back to the village and Pakkun leads Naruto and Iruka to [[Shizune]]. Shizune led them in pursuing Mizuki, when they soon fell into a trap. Iruka then revealed that Shizune is not Shizune but Mizuki himself. While Naruto battles with [[Fūjin]] and [[Raijin]], Iruka battles it out with Mizuki. Iruka wanted to bring the "old" Mizuki back, but Mizuki revealed that he was only nice to Iruka because he is the [[Third Hokage]]'s favourite. Mizuki led Iruka into a building used to test [[Academy]] instructors and battled there. After that, Naruto and Pakkun caught up with Iruka and they went to Mizuki's lover, [[Tsubaki (anime)|Tsubaki]]. Tsubaki helped them reach Mizuki but it was too late. Mizuki had drank a formula and became stronger and monstrous. They battled again with Mizuki having the upper edge. Iruka came up with a plan to trap Mizuki, giving Naruto a chance to use [[Rasengan]] on [[Mizuki]].

In the aftermath of the invasion, Iruka was forced to suspend his teaching duties in order to go on missions and fill the void in personnel. In the anime, he was assisted by [[Pakkun]] to find Mizuki and go after Naruto and [[Tonton]]. When Iruka caught up, they send Tonton back to the village and Pakkun leads Naruto and Iruka to [[Shizune]]. Shizune led them in pursuing Mizuki, when they soon fell into a trap. Iruka then revealed that Shizune is not Shizune but Mizuki himself. While Naruto battles with [[Fūjin]] and [[Raijin]], Iruka battles it out with Mizuki. Iruka wanted to bring the "old" Mizuki back, but Mizuki revealed that he was only nice to Iruka because he is the [[Third Hokage]]'s favourite. Mizuki led Iruka into a building used to test [[Academy]] instructors and battled there. After that, Naruto and Pakkun caught up with Iruka and they went to Mizuki's lover, [[Tsubaki (anime)|Tsubaki]]. Tsubaki helped them reach Mizuki but it was too late. Mizuki had drank a formula and became stronger and monstrous. They battled again with Mizuki having the upper edge. Iruka came up with a plan to trap Mizuki, giving Naruto a chance to use [[Rasengan]] on [[Mizuki]].

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=== UltimateWeaponArc ===

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=== SunagakureSupportMission ===

He later found time at the end of Part I to see Naruto off before he left the village to train with [[Jiraiya]].

He later found time at the end of Part I to see Naruto off before he left the village to train with [[Jiraiya]].

== Part II ==

== Part II ==

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=== Kazekage Rescue Arc ===

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=== Kazekage Rescue Mission ===

Iruka met with Naruto when he returned two and a half years later, and cheered him up after he found out that all of his friends had advanced in rank during his absence.

Iruka met with Naruto when he returned two and a half years later, and cheered him up after he found out that all of his friends had advanced in rank during his absence.

After Jiraiya was killed, Iruka comforted Naruto, and told him that [[Jiraiya]] would always be proud of him. He went on to inform Naruto of how Jiraiya had always bragged about him, and had mentioned multiple times how he thought of Naruto as a grandson. Iruka also reminded him that he was now the one to carry on Jiraiya's legacy. During [[Pain]]'s attack on Konoha, Iruka was found by one of Pain's bodies while attending to a wounded ninja. He refused to tell Pain where Naruto was, and was almost killed. [[Kakashi]] intervened, however, allowing Iruka a chance to get the ninja to the hospital and to later join a squad of Konoha ninja to help repel the invasion.

After Jiraiya was killed, Iruka comforted Naruto, and told him that [[Jiraiya]] would always be proud of him. He went on to inform Naruto of how Jiraiya had always bragged about him, and had mentioned multiple times how he thought of Naruto as a grandson. Iruka also reminded him that he was now the one to carry on Jiraiya's legacy. During [[Pain]]'s attack on Konoha, Iruka was found by one of Pain's bodies while attending to a wounded ninja. He refused to tell Pain where Naruto was, and was almost killed. [[Kakashi]] intervened, however, allowing Iruka a chance to get the ninja to the hospital and to later join a squad of Konoha ninja to help repel the invasion.

Following Pain's attack, Iruka was last seen apparently injured but alive, having been protected by one of [[Katsuyu]]'s [[Slug Great Division|divisions]]. After Pain resurrected everyone he had killed, Iruka was seen standing along with the rest of the villagers. He thought back to the days when Naruto was at the Academy, and compared it to the present while watching Naruto being cheered at by the whole village. After these memories, a proud smile spread across his face.

Following Pain's attack, Iruka was last seen apparently injured but alive, having been protected by one of [[Katsuyu]]'s [[Slug Great Division|divisions]]. After Pain resurrected everyone he had killed, Iruka was seen standing along with the rest of the villagers. He thought back to the days when Naruto was at the Academy, and compared it to the present while watching Naruto being cheered at by the whole village. After these memories, a proud smile spread across his face.

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=== Konoha History Arc ===

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=== Past Arc: The Locus of Konoha ===

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{{Main|Konoha History Arc}}

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{{Main|Past Arc: The Locus of Konoha}}

In the anime, Iruka was later seen meeting with his fellow teachers [[Suzume]] and [[Daikoku Funeno]] making preparations to salvage items for [[Academy|class]]. He sees the Academy and remembers how he first became Naruto's teacher.

In the anime, Iruka was later seen meeting with his fellow teachers [[Suzume]] and [[Daikoku Funeno]] making preparations to salvage items for [[Academy|class]]. He sees the Academy and remembers how he first became Naruto's teacher.

[[File:AMessagefrom the Heart.png|thumb|left|Iruka returningNaruto'sforeheadprotectorwith a letterinside.]]

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During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Naruto and [[Killer B]], as the last two jinchūriki, were confined to an island to keep them out of Akatsuki's clutches, (Naruto being unaware of this, and the war). After Naruto began to get suspicious and tried to leave, a handful of shinobi tried to stop and convince him to go back in. Iruka was among them, and he convinced [[Shibi Aburame]] to let him talk to Naruto. Iruka attempted to trick Naruto into believing he had a second mission on the island. However, Naruto decided to go outside anyway and used Sage Mode to barge past the guards, in the process losing his forehead protector. Before he could leave, however, he was bound by the [[Shadow Imitation Technique]] by a [[Nara clan]] member, but not before he sensed the war raging outside.

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During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Naruto and [[Killer B]], as the last two jinchūriki, were confined to an island to keep them out of Akatsuki's clutches, (Naruto being unaware of this) and the war. After Naruto began to get suspicious and tried to leave, a handful of shinobi tried to stop and convince him to go back in. Iruka was among them, and he convinced [[Shibi Aburame]] to let him talk to Naruto. Iruka attempted to trick Naruto into believing he had a second mission on the island. However, Naruto decided to go outside anyway and used Sage Mode to barge past the guards, in the process losing his forehead protector. Before he could leave, however, he was bound by the [[Shadow Imitation Technique]] by a [[Nara clan]] member, but not before he sensed the war raging outside.

With Naruto demanding the truth, Iruka revealed that there was a war raging in order to protect him, and tried to persuade him not to intervene and risk capture. When Naruto declared that he would end the war on his own, Iruka said that Naruto was like a little brother to him, and he wouldn't be able to bear it if Naruto was captured. Naruto stated that it was Iruka who first recognised him and gave him his forehead protector, and asked him why he doubted his power now.

With Naruto demanding the truth, Iruka revealed that there was a war raging in order to protect him, and tried to persuade him not to intervene and risk capture. When Naruto declared that he would end the war on his own, Iruka said that Naruto was like a little brother to him, and he wouldn't be able to bear it if Naruto was captured. Naruto stated that it was Iruka who first recognised him and gave him his forehead protector, and asked him why he doubted his power now.

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[[File:Bee's Promise.png|thumb|left|Iruka bumps fists with B.]]

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[[File:Bee's Promise.png|thumb|Iruka bumps fists with B.]]

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Glancing down at Naruto's fallen forehead protector, Iruka decided to return it to him, only to erect a [[Barrier:ConfiningTechnique|barrier]] to trap Naruto. Naruto however enters his [[Nine-Tails Chakra Mode]] and easily breaks out of the barrier and resisted all attempts to subdue him, before making his way to the battlefield. On his way, Naruto found a note in his forehead protector, from Iruka, telling him to come back alive. When Killer B arrived, Iruka told him to protect Naruto and they bumped fists. The [[Eight-Tails]] told him that he couldn't keep an eye on Naruto but B said no one could, and said to Iruka that he was in Naruto's heart and everything he taught was still inside, even today.

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Glancing down at Naruto's fallen forehead protector, Iruka decided to return it to him, only to erect a [[StringLightFormation|barrier]] to trap Naruto. Naruto however enters his [[Nine-Tails Chakra Mode]] and easily breaks out of the barrier and resisted all attempts to subdue him, before making his way to the battlefield. On his way, Naruto found a note in his forehead protector, from Iruka, telling him to come back alive. When Killer B arrived, Iruka told him to protect Naruto and they bumped fists. The [[Eight-Tails]] told him that he couldn't keep an eye on Naruto but B said no one could, and said to Iruka that he was in Naruto's heart and everything he taught was still inside, even today.

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{{-L}}

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== VideoGames ==

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=== KaguyaŌtsutsukiStrikes ===

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Ultimately, Iruka, along with Shibi, and the rest of the world were freed from the [[Infinite Tsukuyomi]] genjutsu by Naruto and Sasuke after they ended the war.

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== Blank Period ==

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=== The Last: Naruto the Movie ===

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{{Main|The Last: Naruto the Movie}}

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Iruka appears in this film, set two years after the Fourth Shinobi World War. He was mostly shown in flashbacks via his days at the Academy when asking his students to write down the name of the person who they would want to spend with if the Earth was going to be destroyed. He scolded Naruto for making a paper airplane rather than write down a name while the latter stated it was because he has no friends or family and that the world wasn't ending.

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Not including flashbacks, he appeared at the end of the film, where he attended Naruto and Hinata's wedding, congratulating them while seemingly tearfully happy over Naruto becoming a man. He was seen putting a flower on Naruto's suit and was his best man at the wedding.

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=== Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding ===

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{{Main|Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding}}

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Iruka makes an appearance in this novel.

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== Epilogue ==

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Years after, Iruka, now retired from the Academy, continued to watch Naruto grow, proud of him becoming the Seventh Hokage, but noted that Naruto needed to improve his multi-tasking with his family life.

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{{-}}

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== In Other Media ==

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=== Movies ===

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==== Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow ====

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{{Main|Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow}}

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==== Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie ====

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{{Main|Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie}}

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=== Video Games ===

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=== Live Action ===

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==== Live Spectacle Naruto ====

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{{Main|Live Spectacle Naruto}}

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Hidekazu Ichinose plays as Iruka in this stage play adaption.

== Trivia ==

== Trivia ==

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* Despitehavingmadeveryfewappearanceslateronin the series,hehasfinishedinthetopfiveineverypolluntil the mostrecentpoll.

* Irukawasoneoffivecharactersthathave stayed in the Top Ten of every Character Popularity Poll.

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* Despitehavingmadeveryfewappearanceslateron in the series, Iruka has stayed in the Top Ten of every Character Popularity Poll. However, in the ninth character poll, he was ranked eleventh.

* In the first databook, Iruka's age was given as 25. In the second, it was listed as 23.

* In the first databook, Iruka's age was given as 25. In the second, it was listed as 23.

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* The name "''Umino Iruka''" when broken down as "''umi no iruka''", means "sea dolphin".

* According to the databook(s):

* According to the databook(s):

** Iruka's hobby is going to the [[Wikipedia:Hot spring|hot springs]].

** Iruka's hobby is going to the [[Wikipedia:Hot spring|hot springs]].

** Iruka's favourite food is ramen from [[Ramen Ichiraku]], with his least favourite being {{translation|mazegohan|混ぜ御飯|blended rice}}; a type of [[Wikipedia:Takikomi gohan|takikomi gohan]], but with the ingredients added in various stages while cooking.

** Iruka's favourite food is ramen from [[Ramen Ichiraku]], with his least favourite being {{translation|mazegohan|混ぜ御飯|blended rice}}; a type of [[Wikipedia:Takikomi gohan|takikomi gohan]], but with the ingredients added in various stages while cooking.

* (Regarding [[Naruto]]) "''Yeah… the [[Kurama|DemonFox]] would [usethepower of the [[Scroll of Seals|Scroll]] to do whatever it wanted]… but Naruto is different. I've acknowledged him as… one of my excellent students. He may not be the hardest worker… and he is clumsy and no one accepts him… but he already knows what it is to feel pain inside your heart. He isn't the DemonFox. He is a member of the Konohagakure. He's Naruto Uzumaki!''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter535, pages 43-45</ref>

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* (To [[Mizuki]]) "''Yeah… the [[Kurama|monsterfox]] would dothat…but [[Naruto]] is different. I've acknowledged him as… one of my excellent students. He may not be the hardest worker… and he is clumsy and no one accepts him… but he already knows what it is to feel pain inside your heart. He isn't the monsterfox. He is a member of the Konohagakure. '''He's Naruto Uzumaki!'''''"<ref>Chapter1, pages 43-45</ref>

* (To Naruto) "''MasterJiraiyaonlyhadpraiseforyou.Hewasalwaysboastingaboutyou,saying you werelike his own grandchild. He had faith that you were the one whowouldinherithiswill,and truly believed that you would one day be a great Hokage. Master Jiraiya will always watch over you. Even this very minute, he's watching from somewhere. He wouldn't be happy seeing you sad like this.So…Beyourusual self, the one he praised so much. Don't stay depressed forever. For Master Jiraiya himself, one of the Legendary Sannin… acknowledged you as his promising student!''"<ref>Chapter405, pages 14-15</ref>

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* (Letter to Naruto) "''Iexpectedyou'dtrytorushout to thebattlefield right away. I knowyou'reready to fight. If you're reading this letter it means I couldn't stop you. Lady Tsunade ordered us to Kumogakure'ssecretislandtoguardyouanddelay you from leaving as long as possible. I'm writing this letter just in case things don't work out like Iwant them to… which is pretty pathetic considering I'll be on an official mission. But if that's how it goes… I don't know if I'llmanage to give this to you or not, but there's something I need to tell you. In fact, now that you've left, it's the only thing left to say. Come back alive, Naruto!''"<ref>''Naruto'' chapter 535, pages 17-18</ref>

* (Letter to Naruto) "''I expected you'd try to rush out to the battlefield right away. I know you're ready to fight. If you're reading this letter it means I couldn't stop you. Lady Tsunade ordered us to Kumogakure's secret island to guard you and delay you from leaving as long as possible. I'm writing this letter just in case things don't work out like I want them to… which is pretty pathetic considering I'll be on an official mission. But if that's how it goes… I don't know if I'll manage to give this to you or not, but there's something I need to tell you. In fact, now that you've left, it's the only thing left to say. Come back alive, Naruto!''"<ref>Chapter 535, pages 17-18</ref>

Contents

Iruka's parents were killed in the Nine-Tails' Attack on Konoha twelve years before the beginning of the series. Initially, a young Iruka was present on the battlefield, and wanted to stay in order to protect his mother. His father declared that it was the parents' duty to keep their child safe from harm. He was forcibly removed from the battlefield by an unknown shinobi while he called out for his parent to no avail.[4]

With his family gone, Iruka had no one to give him attention. Iruka thereafter became a prankster, trying to gain attention to stave off his loneliness.[5] He would spend his time at the monument where his parents' names were engraved, and, in his darkest moments would be cheered up by the Third Hokage.[6]Mizuki was a childhood friend of Iruka's after the Nine-Tails Attack, and usually made him feel better. In the anime, it was noted that due to other people giving Iruka more attention than they do to Mizuki, Mizuki's kindness to Iruka revealed to be an act just to gain the Hokage's approval, all the while making Iruka miserable discreetly.

Iruka deciding to become an instructor of the Academy.

In the anime, it was revealed that Iruka became a teacher because he wanted to pass on the Will of Fire to the next generation in this manner, inspired by the Third Hokage's wisdom. When Naruto became his student, he found it awkward to deal with the person containing the very monster responsible for his parents' death. He tried to ask the Third Hokage if he could not teach Naruto, though he was eventually disabused by the notion by Kakashi Hatake. Later, Naruto went into the woods to steal items from corpses. Iruka chased him down and protected him from Takigakure spies who were attacking Naruto, eventually backed up by Kakashi. After saving Naruto and bringing back the document attached to the artefact the latter retrieved, he thanked the Third for assigning Naruto to him. He thus resolved to be straight forward and deal with Naruto strictly in class from then on, in order to train him to become a fine shinobi.[7]

Iruka is described as being both big-hearted, and soft-hearted. This is most often seen through his teaching methods, often giving a watchful eye over his students as they progress. This however, does not mean that he is a pushover, as he can be stern when the situation calls for it most often seen when he shouts at his students in order to get them to obey him. Despite the tragedy of losing his parents at a young age, Iruka remained a determined and strong-willed individual with a kind disposition. This is seen from his lack of hostility towards Naruto Uzumaki who was often the victim of misplaced anger at the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox who was sealed within Naruto. Because of this, Iruka came to be the only person Naruto respected in his youth as well as the only person who could control Naruto's behaviour to some degree. Naruto ignored all chūnin and jōnin who reprimanded him for painting all over the Hokage's faces and only showed fear when Iruka showed up.[8]

As a child growing up without his parents, Iruka turned to performing antics in the Academy in order to gain recognition from others who would otherwise pass him over or look at him with pity for being an orphan. This allowed him to also see some of these signs and understand what they meant when displayed by Naruto. Due to Iruka's more nurturing, protective and compassionate nature, Naruto views him as a mentor and Iruka in turn, views Naruto as a younger brother. The two enjoy their favourite ramen dish at Ramen Ichiraku whenever Naruto returns from a mission, where Iruka gets an opportunity to see how Naruto is developing as a ninja. Iruka's refusal to allow Naruto to graduate at first was not out of spite, but merely out of caring strictness and a desire for Naruto to work harder and reach his own potential.

He also has a great sense of duty, honour and selflessness as seen when he protected Naruto from Mizuki's attack, suffering a shuriken wound in his back in order to protect him. He greatly admires both the Third Hokage who was there to help him during his troubled period as a child and believes strongly in the Will of Fire of the village. As a result, he regards the children of the village as the backbone of Konoha — even being willing to sacrifice his own life to ensure their safety.

Iruka is a man of average height and build. He has black hair (brown in the anime) that he keeps in a ponytail, dark eyes and a scar that runs across the bridge of his nose — which he has had since his youth. He wears the standard Konoha shinobi outfit complete with forehead protector, sandals, and flak jacket. His sleeves are also rolled up about ¼ way. As a child he wore a simple outfit along with mesh-armour underneath it.

In The Last: Naruto the Movie, two years after the Fourth Shinobi World War, Iruka's overall appearance stayed the same. The only noticeable difference is he wears a an Uzumaki clan logo armband on his left arm with the new standard flak jacket and high-top sandals. Several years afterwards, Iruka has aged further, with slight creases around his mouth. He also abandons his forehead protector and shinobi attire, and instead dons a grey zipped shirt.[9]

As a head instructor of the Academy, Iruka is clearly proficient in all forms of basic ninja skills. He has some ability with Barrier Ninjutsu, as he is seen creating a barrier in an attempt to restrain Naruto. Iruka is also very perceptive as he can assess situations carefully and quickly while under threat. In terms of nature transformations, he's capable of using Fire Release and Water Release. He is also capable of utilising Yin Release.[3]

In the anime, Iruka's skills were expanded upon; it was shown that he had some knowledge of genjutsu, as demonstrated when he posed as an enemyAmegakure ninja to test Sakura,[10] and he also saw through the genjutsu cast by Mizuki.[11] During the Mizuki Tracking Mission, Iruka showed some skill in taijutsu as well, by keeping on equal footing with the now-improved Mizuki in his attacks. Iruka was also shown using Sealed Bomb Square Release, which consists of setting an array of exploding tags and, once the target has entered the area, setting the tags to detonate if the target moves.[12] Also, Iruka displayed what seems to be an echolocation ability where he can get a sonar image of his surrounding area, perhaps playing on the meaning of his name, "dolphin".[11]

When Naruto managed to evade other ninja after desecrating the Hokage Monument with graffiti, Iruka captured his student and berated him for not focusing on the upcoming graduating exams. While Naruto was supposed to transform into Iruka, he instead turned into a naked girl, with Iruka suffering a massive nosebleed before giving Naruto a reprimanding. Iruka then punished Naruto to clean the Hokage Monument, but then invited him to Ramen Ichiraku, where he learned of Naruto's desire to be Hokage.

Iruka protects Naruto.

Next day, when Naruto failed to conjure at least one clone, Iruka failed him, despite Mizuki's false sympathetic reconsideration. When Mizuki tricked Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals, Iruka tracked down Naruto before being hit by a barrage of kunai and realising that the boy was set up. Iruka then protected Naruto from Mizuki's fūma shuriken after Naruto learned that he is the Nine-Tails jinchūriki. Nevertheless, Naruto then ran away despite Iruka's pleas. Intent to protect Naruto regardless of him learning the truth, Iruka insisted that he never hated Naruto and saw him as only a ninja of their village. Witnessing Naruto create a high amount ofadvanced clones after being spurred by his faith in him, Iruka allowed Naruto to graduate from the Academy, giving him his own forehead protector.

When Team 7 is entered in the Chūnin Exams, Iruka voiced concern and as such, in the anime, he personally tested each member individually to see if they were ready by disguising himself as a Amegakure ninja. Once they passed the exam's second phase, he acted as a messenger that granted them access to the preliminaries.

During the invasion of Konoha, Iruka escorted his students to safety in the shelters behind the Hokage Monument- promising that he and the other instructors would protect them "even at the cost of our lives". He shared ominous looks with Konohamaru when Hiruzen's representation cracked, later comforting Konohamaru during the Third Hokage's funeral.

Iruka met Naruto at their favourite Ramen Ichiraku to listen to Naruto talk about his adventure and later explained to Naruto that they have to do many missions to show other villages that they were still strong, even though their strength had been cut in half.

In the aftermath of the invasion, Iruka was forced to suspend his teaching duties in order to go on missions and fill the void in personnel. In the anime, he was assisted by Pakkun to find Mizuki and go after Naruto and Tonton. When Iruka caught up, they send Tonton back to the village and Pakkun leads Naruto and Iruka to Shizune. Shizune led them in pursuing Mizuki, when they soon fell into a trap. Iruka then revealed that Shizune is not Shizune but Mizuki himself. While Naruto battles with Fūjin and Raijin, Iruka battles it out with Mizuki. Iruka wanted to bring the "old" Mizuki back, but Mizuki revealed that he was only nice to Iruka because he is the Third Hokage's favourite. Mizuki led Iruka into a building used to test Academy instructors and battled there. After that, Naruto and Pakkun caught up with Iruka and they went to Mizuki's lover, Tsubaki. Tsubaki helped them reach Mizuki but it was too late. Mizuki had drank a formula and became stronger and monstrous. They battled again with Mizuki having the upper edge. Iruka came up with a plan to trap Mizuki, giving Naruto a chance to use Rasengan on Mizuki.

After Jiraiya was killed, Iruka comforted Naruto, and told him that Jiraiya would always be proud of him. He went on to inform Naruto of how Jiraiya had always bragged about him, and had mentioned multiple times how he thought of Naruto as a grandson. Iruka also reminded him that he was now the one to carry on Jiraiya's legacy. During Pain's attack on Konoha, Iruka was found by one of Pain's bodies while attending to a wounded ninja. He refused to tell Pain where Naruto was, and was almost killed. Kakashi intervened, however, allowing Iruka a chance to get the ninja to the hospital and to later join a squad of Konoha ninja to help repel the invasion.

Following Pain's attack, Iruka was last seen apparently injured but alive, having been protected by one of Katsuyu's divisions. After Pain resurrected everyone he had killed, Iruka was seen standing along with the rest of the villagers. He thought back to the days when Naruto was at the Academy, and compared it to the present while watching Naruto being cheered at by the whole village. After these memories, a proud smile spread across his face.

During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Naruto and Killer B, as the last two jinchūriki, were confined to an island to keep them out of Akatsuki's clutches, (Naruto being unaware of this) and the war. After Naruto began to get suspicious and tried to leave, a handful of shinobi tried to stop and convince him to go back in. Iruka was among them, and he convinced Shibi Aburame to let him talk to Naruto. Iruka attempted to trick Naruto into believing he had a second mission on the island. However, Naruto decided to go outside anyway and used Sage Mode to barge past the guards, in the process losing his forehead protector. Before he could leave, however, he was bound by the Shadow Imitation Technique by a Nara clan member, but not before he sensed the war raging outside.

With Naruto demanding the truth, Iruka revealed that there was a war raging in order to protect him, and tried to persuade him not to intervene and risk capture. When Naruto declared that he would end the war on his own, Iruka said that Naruto was like a little brother to him, and he wouldn't be able to bear it if Naruto was captured. Naruto stated that it was Iruka who first recognised him and gave him his forehead protector, and asked him why he doubted his power now.

Iruka bumps fists with B.

Glancing down at Naruto's fallen forehead protector, Iruka decided to return it to him, only to erect a barrier to trap Naruto. Naruto however enters his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and easily breaks out of the barrier and resisted all attempts to subdue him, before making his way to the battlefield. On his way, Naruto found a note in his forehead protector, from Iruka, telling him to come back alive. When Killer B arrived, Iruka told him to protect Naruto and they bumped fists. The Eight-Tails told him that he couldn't keep an eye on Naruto but B said no one could, and said to Iruka that he was in Naruto's heart and everything he taught was still inside, even today.

Main article: The Last: Naruto the Movie
Iruka appears in this film, set two years after the Fourth Shinobi World War. He was mostly shown in flashbacks via his days at the Academy when asking his students to write down the name of the person who they would want to spend with if the Earth was going to be destroyed. He scolded Naruto for making a paper airplane rather than write down a name while the latter stated it was because he has no friends or family and that the world wasn't ending.

Not including flashbacks, he appeared at the end of the film, where he attended Naruto and Hinata's wedding, congratulating them while seemingly tearfully happy over Naruto becoming a man. He was seen putting a flower on Naruto's suit and was his best man at the wedding.

Years after, Iruka, now retired from the Academy, continued to watch Naruto grow, proud of him becoming the Seventh Hokage, but noted that Naruto needed to improve his multi-tasking with his family life.

Iruka's favourite food is ramen from Ramen Ichiraku, with his least favourite being mazegohan (混ぜ御飯, blended rice); a type of takikomi gohan, but with the ingredients added in various stages while cooking.

(To Mizuki) "Yeah… the monster fox would do that… but Naruto is different. I've acknowledged him as… one of my excellent students. He may not be the hardest worker… and he is clumsy and no one accepts him… but he already knows what it is to feel pain inside your heart. He isn't the monster fox. He is a member of the Konohagakure. He's Naruto Uzumaki!"[14]

(To Naruto) "When one person dies… he disappears… Along with his past, current lifestyle, and his future. Many people die in missions and wars. They die easily and in surprisingly simple ways. Hayate was one of them. Those who die have goals and dreams. But everyone has something as important as those. Parents, siblings, friends, lovers… People who are important to you. They trust and help each other. The bond between the people important to you ever since birth… And the string that binds them becomes thicker and stronger as time goes by. It's beyond reason. Those bound to you by that string will do that. Because it's important…" [15]

(To Naruto) "Master Jiraiya only had praise for you. He was always boasting about you, saying you were like his own grandchild. He had faith that you were the one who would inherit his will, and truly believed that you would one day be a great Hokage. Master Jiraiya will always watch over you. Even this very minute, he's watching from somewhere. He wouldn't be happy seeing you sad like this. So… Be your usual self, the one he praised so much. Don't stay depressed forever. For Master Jiraiya himself, one of the Legendary Sannin… acknowledged you as his promising student!"[16]

(To Naruto) "Stop acting like a baby! You want to know what I really think of you?! I think you're one of my most precious students… and… you're like a little brother to me."[17]

(Letter to Naruto) "I expected you'd try to rush out to the battlefield right away. I know you're ready to fight. If you're reading this letter it means I couldn't stop you. Lady Tsunade ordered us to Kumogakure's secret island to guard you and delay you from leaving as long as possible. I'm writing this letter just in case things don't work out like I want them to… which is pretty pathetic considering I'll be on an official mission. But if that's how it goes… I don't know if I'll manage to give this to you or not, but there's something I need to tell you. In fact, now that you've left, it's the only thing left to say. Come back alive, Naruto!"[18]